Cream-separator.



No. 764,489. l PATENTBD JULY 5, 1904, K. KpMoLEoD. CREAM SEPARATOR.

v PPLIOATION FILED oo'xxv, 1903. 11o MODEL. 2 ammira-sum1? 1 655mg/@iwan www@ l No. 764,489.

Patented July 5, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

KENNETH K. MCLEOD, OF SPARTA, VVISCONSAIN.

CREAM-SEPARATGR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 764,489, dated July 5,1904.

Application filed October 7, 1903.

To all whom, t may concern.'

' Be it known that I, KENNETH K. McLEoD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sparta, in thecounty of Monroe and State of Wisconsin, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Cream-Separators, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in centrifugal cream-separators ofthat style `or class wherein a column of milk fed to the machine .isseparated into its constituent or component elements by the force oraction generated by rapid rotation; andI the object is to simplify andimprove the existing constructions of machines intended for the purpose.

The improvements embody a plurality of concentrically-disposedcylinders, spirally-arranged partitions between the cylinders, alin-`ing pcrforations in the shells of the inner cylinders, and acentrally-positioned feed-tube to deliver the material at the bottom ofthe inachine, all as will be fully specilied and the asserted noveltyparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central section through themachine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation partially broken away. l

In the drawings similar parts appearing in the respective illustrationsare designated by like reference notations.

A designates a strong metal cylindrical shell of suoli dimensions andcapacity as will suit it to the purposes of its use. This casing is madeor provided .with a strong bottom 1, having a centrally-positionedvertical spindle Q, which is provided with a pulley or other gearconnections to communicate the requisite rapid rotation. Thesepower-imparting elements are not illustrated, because they are wellknown and form no part of my present invention. A conical cover 3 issuitably secured on the open end of the casing A and `sealed againstleakage at its union with the casing, as by a packing-ring 4. Theconical cover is formed with an open central vertical extension 5,through which access can be had to the interior of the machine.

' 6 designates the feed-tube centrally positioned in the casing andextending the length serial No, 176,119. (No model.)

thereof, with its lower end secured in any proper way in or to thebottom ofthe casing, and at its lower end is provided with openings 7,through which the charge of milk finds its way into the interior of themachine, to be subjected to the separating centrifugal function oraction thereof. At the upper end of the feed-tube is a detachable andadjustable circular collar or plate 8, which may be moved down to closethe opening into the casingand also to hold the cover 3 lirmly inposition thereon.

Within the casing, concentric to the of the feed-tube 6, is placed andarranged a cylindrical shell 9, the inmost of the series, the up-l perend of which reaches well into thetop portion of the casing, this shellbeing the longest of the series. At the lower end -of the shell 9 isformed a horizontally-arranged circular flange 10, which extends to andfits against the inner face of the casing and at its inner edge isformed with a turned-down vertical flange 11 and a similar` flange 12 atits outer edge, as shown in the drawings. The inner flange 11 is madewith a number of perforations 13, according to the determined capacityof the machine, through which perforations the milk escapes under theflange 10 and thence up through perforations into the respective spacesbetween the concentric shells or cylinders. l To the outer face of thecylindrical shell 9 are arranged in vertical succession a series ofspirally-arranged ribs lei. These ribs begin at their lower ends inshort vertical por tions and after beingl disposed spirally terminate insimilar vertical portions. The ribs are triangular in cross-section, asshown, and have their bases secured -i to the outer face of the shell byrivets or screws or by metal cementation.V The llaring channel thusformed between the ribs tends to break and separate the material duringits entire course through the machine, having a tangential directionupwardly, downwardly, and outwardly. In the shell between the bases ofopposite ribs are made aseries of holes 15, through which the materialis delivered into the next spiral passage of the second cylindricalshell.

16 designates a second cylindrical shell which surrounds the shell 9with the points of IOO the spiral ribs touching its inner face. Thisshell 16 is of identical construction to the shell or cylinder 9, ribsand all, except that the former is of longer diameter and made shorter,and 17 designates the third cylindrical shell, shorter than shell 16 andsurrounding the cylinder 16 and provided with spirally-arranged ribs thepoints of which touch the inner face of the main cylinder or casing A.The ribs of the respective cylinders are in substantial alinement, andthe lines or series of holes between the spiral ribs in the shells arein horizontal alinement, so that the milk will pass through the holesfrom one cylinder into the next from the inmost to the outermost spaceor channel.

The number of the concentrically-placed cylinders may be increased ordecreased, according to the size and capacity of the machine.

lt will be seen that as the milk enters from the top of the feed-tube itdescends and escapes at the openings at the lower end and is forcedoutward through the holes in the flange 11 and then by the action ofrotation is forced up the passages between the spiral ribs and theperforations, and as the casing fills up the milk proceeds or movesupward until the whole is filled. In the progress of the filling thecentrifugal force has caused a separation of the milk, the heavierskimmed milk reaching the outer ribbed space and is carried up the waysor passages to the upper ends and discharged through tubes in common usein apparatuses of this kind. The cream being the lighter constituent,finds rest nearer to the center of the casing and finds escape through asmall oriiice nearest to the center of the apparatus and theredischarges into a pan arranged, as usual, to receive it.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. Acentrifugal cream-separator comprising an outer cylindrical casing, aconical cover secured thereon, a feed-tube centrally positioned andsecured therein and having a discharge-opening at its lower end, acylindrical shell positioned concentric around the feedtube and formedwith a horizontal circular flange at the lower end itting the casing andformed with an inner depending flange having passages therethrough,spirally-arranged ribs aboutthe cylindrical shell and perforationsbetween the ribs, and a second cylindrical shell arranged on thefirst-named shell and about the spiral ribs, and spiral ribs on thesecond shell closing the space betweenits outer face and the inner faceof the next inclosing shell, substantially as described.

' 2. In a centrifugal cream-separator, the combination with an inclosingcasing, a cover therefor, and afeed-tube, of a plurality ofconcentrically-disposed cylindrical shells, each of which is providedwith spirally-arranged ribs reaching entirely across the space betweenadjacent shells, and provided with apertures in the shells between thespiral ribs, substantially as described.

3. In a centrifugal creamseparator, the combination with an inclosingcasing, a cover therefor, and a centrally-arranged feed-tube therein, ofa plurality of concentrically-disposed cylindrical shells, each of whichis provided with spirally-disposed ribs triangular in cross-section andhaving vertical portions at their respective ends and made to reachacross the spaces between the cylindrical shells and the inclosingcasing respectively, and lines of apertures in each shell, between theribs.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

KENNETH K. MCLEOD.

Witnesses:

W. Gr. WILLIAMS, W. R. CROSBY.

